Liz_P

We took our test in Angleton and they were efficient and organized. Not overly busy as some locations can be.

There are several videos on YouTube covering how to do an airbrake test for a Texas commercial drivers license including one put out by the DPS. I would watch a couple just so you know what to do. This wasn't part of the driving test per se, more a safety measure to demonstrate that the airbrakes are functioning properly. After the airbrakes were fully pressurized, I engaged the brakes for a minute demonstrating that they didn't lose more than a few psi of pressure. Then I pumped the brakes to reduce the pressure until the brake valve popped out engaging the parking brake. Similarly, the tester observed that the signal and brake lights were working.

This is a follow up to my post on December 20, 2022. Today my husband and I took the driving test, and both of us passed. As with the written test, we took the driving test at the Angleton DPS location. The test was given by the same person who does regular class C driving tests. Before driving, we verified that the turn signals, brake lights and horn were working properly. We also did an air brake test to verify that they were working properly, but this was an instructed test, not the one that CDL applicants have to do. We then demonstrated that we could back up properly, but we did not have to park. The driving portion covered highways and city streets. Traffic isn't too heavy in Angleton which was a plus.

This is definitely the best documentation on the topic that I've seen. Getting information from TDPS is challenging to say the least! My husband and I both passed our written tests at the Angleton, Texas DPS office today, and plan to come back in January to take the driving part of the test. A couple of things we found. First, in terms of the test itself, ("What knowledge test must I take?" above ), it did cover only the material in Chapter 14 Texas Commercial Rules Test. There was no distinction made between the test I was taking and the test other CDL applicants were taking. It wasn't the CDL General Knowledge Test, or the CDL Air Brakes Test which I am thinking regular CDL applicants take in another setting. Second, although I hold a Texas REAL ID drivers license which I obtained earlier this year, I still needed to provide either a passport or birth certificate. They scanned my passport, so I may not have to do so in the future. Lastly "What is the new ITD Program?" indicates that you’ll need to complete the new Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) Program, about the dangers of distracted driving. I did complete the course, however, the Angleton TDPS office did not ask for this, and when I indicated I had this certificate, they said that this is not required if you currently hold a valid Texas drivers license. Regarding the skills test, while I haven't yet taken it, the DPS representative indicated that as part of the test, I would first have to test my air brakes to show that they are functioning properly. For the offroad, I would only have to do straight-line backing and not offset backing or parallel parking. I plan to post an update if the skills test is anything different from what she described.